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  • Design

  • Performance

  • Related content

  • What the owners say

  • The bottom line

  • Design
  • Performance
  • Related content
  • What the owners say
  • The bottom line

Pros

  • Impressive cleaning for its price point

  • Low yearly power and water costs

  • Runs at a relatively quiet 51 dBA

Cons

  • Weak quick cycle

  • Had issues with redeposit

Exhibit A: the Whirlpool WDT710PAHZ (available at Appliances Connection) . When we tested this American-made dishwasher in our labs, we discovered that it offers desirable features like a stainless steel finish and true heated drying, and it’s fairly quiet to run. With classy looks and good value, it's the right fit for you if you’re on a budget, but don’t want your kitchen to show it.

Design

Sporting matte fingerprint-resistant stainless steel and a thick bar handle, this dishwasher’s exterior will make you proud. You can get it in black (WDT710PAHB) or white (WDT710PAHW) for slightly less, but at the current price point, you should treat yourself to stainless if you can.

This handsome dishwasher has a great look at a budget price
Credit: Whirlpool

The Whirlpool WDT710 is fingerprint-resistant stainless steel with a handsome bar handle. It comes in black and white as well, but at this price point, you might convince yourself to go for the high-end look of stainless.

The top-mount control panel allows for a smooth surface on the door. An LED light tells you when the dishwasher is running, and it’s convenient that you can monitor a cycle’s progress.

The cutlery basket is relatively unique in that it attaches to the inside of the door. That's poor design. If you don't mind bending to reach it (you will), you can load it from the top, or raise its lid to load longer utensils from the side, the way you might with a third rack. (This model doesn’t have one.) If you’re not a fan of the bending, you can move the basket to the lower rack, but it doesn’t sit securely there, and you may want the spaces for extra plates.

You can't move the tines on the lower rack.
Credit: Reviewed.com / Jonathan Chan

You can't move the tines on the lower rack, so it may be challenging to fit large bowls or casserole dishes.

Either way, you’ll have to work your dishes into the existing layout, because you can’t move the tines. We were challenged to fit in a mixing bowl or a baking dish.

The upper rack has a fold-down shelf, and you can put it to work cleaning a row of shot glasses or espresso cups, while you wash your regular drinking glasses.

If you need to open the door while a cycle is in progress, say, to add a dish, you’ll need to press the Start button and then, close the door quickly to get things running again.

The cutlery basket is located on the door.
Credit: Reviewed.com / Jonathan Chan

The cutlery basket is located on the door, saving space on the bottom rack for dishes, but making it challenging to reach. The basket is unique, letting you load silverware from the top, and longer utensils from the side.

Performance

This dishwasher’s cleaning power is pretty good for its price point: in our labs, we unloaded dishes that were over 99% clean after a Normal cycle, and 90% clean after a Heavy cycle. We did have some spinach redeposit issues on all three cycles, but for dishes that have normal amounts of food detritus (rather than dishes that are intensely dirty), you can run them through the dishwasher with confidence.

Though there are quieter dishwashers, this one didn’t do badly, coming in at 51 dBA, surprisingly low for a dishwasher with a plastic interior. Generally, stainless dishwashers tend to be quieter.

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Unlike most dishwashers at this price point, this Whirlpool has Heat Dry, which is the default setting on most of its cycles. It dries the dishes using an exposed metal coil, though Whirlpool says that rinse aid is still essential to get the best drying results.

In terms of efficiency, this Whirlpool has an average yearly cost of $26.94, which is relatively low.

The control panel is located on top.
Credit: Reviewed.com / Jonathan Chan

The Whirlpool's front panel is smooth and sleek, because the control panel is at the top.

What the owners say

There aren’t many online comments about this brand new model, but so far, owners love its clean, sleek front panel, and quiet operation.

The bottom line

Historically, we’ve had good things to say about Whirlpool’s value priced models. We think the WDT710PAHZ will surprise you with its good value and higher-end features. It’s attractive, delivers sparkling dishes on the Normal cycle, and its sound level permits conversation while it runs. If your kitchen is crying out for entry-level luxe in a dishwasher, this model is a good place to start. You might also take a look at the LG LDF5545ST. It aced our tests, and costs about the same as the Whirlpool.

Meet the testers

Cindy Bailen

Cindy Bailen

Editor

@orangesandlemon

Cindy Bailen loves writing about major appliances and home design and has spent over 15 years immersed in that. In her spare time, Cindy hosts pledge programs for WGBH-TV in Boston and other public television stations.

See all of Cindy Bailen's reviews
Jonathan Chan

Jonathan Chan

Senior Manager of Lab Operations

@Jonfromthelab1

Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.

See all of Jonathan Chan's reviews

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